® Christ Our Life® Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life GRADE 7 SAMPLE
www.christourlife.com In Conformity The Subcommittee on the Catechism, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has found this text, copyright 2024, to be in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Imprimatur In accordance with c. 827, permission to publish is granted on October 17, 2022, by Most Reverend Robert G. Casey, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Permission to publish is an official declaration of ecclesiastical authority that the material is free from doctrinal and moral error. No legal responsibility is assumed by the grant of this permission. 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 LSC 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Acknowledgments Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition, copyright © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner. The English translation of The Order of Penance © 2019 International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL); excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010 ICEL. All rights reserved. The prayers Sign of the Cross/Signum Crucis, Glory Be to the Father/Gloria Patri, Lord’s Prayer/Pater Noster, Hail Mary/Ave Maria, Act of Hope, Act of Faith, Act of Love, Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina), Angelus, Regina Caeli, and Memorare come from the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. English translation copyright © 2006, Libreria Editrice Vaticana. All rights reserved. Exclusive licensee in the United States is the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The prayers Grace Before Meals, Grace After Meals, Jesus Prayer, Morning Offering, Peace Prayer, Prayer to St. Michael, and Prayer to One’s Guardian Angel come from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. Copyright © 2006, U.S. Conference Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved. The Prayer for Generosity comes from Hearts on Fire: Praying with the Jesuits by Michael Harter, S.J. Copyright © 2005, Loyola Press. The prayer Take, Lord, and Receive (Suscipe) is Copyright © 2004 Institute for Jesuit Sources. Cover and interior design: Loyola Press Cover illustration: Chiara Fedele Art acknowledgments continue on page 283. 978-0-8294-5284-6 Copyright © 2024 Loyola Press All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. Loyola Press has made every effort to locate the copyright holders for the cited works used in this publication and to make full acknowledgment for their use. In the case of any omissions, the publisher will be pleased to make suitable acknowledgments in future editions. Manufactured in United States of America Dedicated to Saint Julie Billiart, foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame, in gratitude for her inspiration and example. S SAMPLE
Contents ESPECIALLY FOR FAMILIES Each unit begins with a Letter Home that sets the stage for the unit ahead. Each chapter concludes with two Families in Mission pages to help families know and live their Catholic faith. Continued on next page. UNIT 1 Jesus Christ the Way 1 A Letter Home...................... 2 1 Jesus, the Son of God............ 3 2 Jesus, the Son of Man.......... 11 3 Jesus, the Messiah............ 19 4 Jesus, the Nazarene........... 27 5 Jesus and the Holy Family.. . . . . 35 6 Jesus the Christ............... 43 7 Jesus and the First Disciples.. . 51 8 Baptism and Confirmation.. . . . . 61 9 Unit 1 Review................. 69 UNIT 2 Jesus Christ the Truth 77 A Letter Home..................... 78 10 Parables: Stories Jesus Told. . . 79 11 Miracles and Signs: Jesus the Miracle Worker.. . . . . 87 12 Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick: Jesus the Healer. . . . . 95 13 The Gospel of Life: Jesus the Teacher............ 103 14 The Beatitudes: Jesus the Light of the World.. . 113 15 Kingdom of Justice and Truth: Jesus, King of the Universe. . . 121 16 Kingdom of Love: Jesus the Sacred Heart. . . . . . . 129 17 Unit 2 Review................ 137 DIGITAL RESOURCES The QR codes throughout this book can be used to access interactive games, videos, music, and other digital resources. iii SAMPLE E
Special Seasons and Lessons 211 The Year in Our Church............ 212 1 Feast of All Saints............ 213 2 Advent....................... 215 3 Christmas.................... 217 4 Lent......................... 219 5 Holy Week................... 221 6 Easter....................... 223 7 Pentecost.................... 225 What Catholics Should Know 227 Prayer and How We Pray.......... 229 Prayers We Pray as Catholics.. . . . 231 The Rosary. ..................... 234 Mysteries of the Rosary. ......... 236 Stations of the Cross............. 237 Celebrating and Living Our Catholic Faith................ 239 Sacraments Chart................ 242 Living Our Faith. ................. 244 Making Good Choices............. 247 The Bible........................ 249 Showing Our Love for the World.. . 251 Glossary. ....................... 253 Index............................ 269 Lesson Pullouts................. 275 UNIT 3 Jesus Christ the Life 145 A Letter Home.................... 146 18 Living Faith in Jesus.......... 147 19 Opposition to Jesus........... 155 20 The Eucharist................ 163 21 Jesus' Final Hours............ 171 22 The Victory of Jesus.......... 179 23 Alive in the Spirit............. 187 24 Matrimony and Holy Orders. . . 195 25 Unit 3 Review................ 203 iv S SAMPLE
UNIT 1 Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father.” John 14:6–7 Jesus Christ the Way 1 SAMPLE E
A Letter Home Dear Parents and Family, Jesus is fully God and fully man. Like all people, Jesus experienced emotions. He grieved and wept over the death of his friend Lazarus. He got angry and lost his temper with the money changers in the Temple. Though subject to human trials and temptations, he did not sin. Jesus showed how to remain close to the Father no matter what happened to him. Here are some ways we can imitate Christ: Jesus had priorities. Jesus did his Father’s will in all things. He taught about the Kingdom of God and turning away from sin and toward the Father. He fulfilled the words of the ancient prophets: God cares about the poor. He taught us to seek first the Kingdom of God, especially in service to those in most need. Jesus listened. Time and again, groups of people challenged Jesus. He listened calmly and completely before replying, even to those no one else would bother listening to—children, sinners, and enemies. We are called to do the same. Jesus prayed. Jesus prayed alone and with others, but he prayed often. The prayer he taught us, the Lord’s Prayer, is a wonderful prayer to guide us through our day. But Jesus also taught us to pray from the depths of our heart—as he did during his time of Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus sought time alone. Jesus often retreated from the crowds and his disciples to be alone. Purpose and patience come from being able to center ourselves, whether it means taking 10 minutes to meditate at the end of our workday or taking a deep breath when our impulse is to rant at someone. In this unit, young people learn about who Jesus is and why he is the way to the Father. They will also learn what it means for them to follow him. Young people will learn the essential chapter content, complete a Your Turn activity, and undertake an interactive chapter review. At the end of each chapter of this unit, young people will bring home the Families in Mission pages so that you can further explore the chapter content, grow in your faith, and be inspired to go forth as a family of missionary disciples. The last chapter of each unit is a unit review. There you will find a QR code to scan to play the Stump the Shepherd unit review game. LOOKING AHEAD Scan the QR code with a web-enabled device to view a video on the life and charism of Saint Mary Magdalene together as a family. You will learn more about this firstcentury saint in the Families in Mission pages for Chapter 4. 2 Unit 1 Christ Our Life® S SAMPLE
CHAPTER 1 Who Are You? Everything in the universe was created by God. People, plants, animals, rocks, the stars in the cosmos, and subatomic particles all have a common Creator. God created everything out of his goodness, and everything reflects God’s goodness in its own unique way, and that includes you! You are one of God’s special gifts to the world. You are unique! You impact the world as no one else ever will. You are a mystery created to communicate God’s love to the world. You have gifts to discover and develop: skills, talents, and qualities. The words you say and the things you do affect those around you. You count! Who you think you are has a lot to do with who you are now and who you will become. That is why it is important to have a true picture of yourself. There is no better time than the present for discovering the mystery and the miracle of you. What makes you human is your soul. You are made in God’s image. He created humans to share in his truth, goodness, and beauty so someday we might share in God’s glory forever. With your intellect, you can make decisions and judgments. With your free will, you can love and sacrifice; each day you can choose God or selfishness. Because you have this freedom, you are responsible for your actions. The whole of the material world has been created for your good. What God has given you is a gift that is to be cared for and used wisely. Jesus, the Son of God The Goodness of Creation Write how each of the following aspects of creation reflects God’s goodness and beauty: 1. Water 2. Fire 3. Earth 4. Animals 5. Human Beings 3 Jesus, the Son of God Chapter 1 SAMPLE E
Who You Are Called to Be God has made you a member of a particular family. From your parents, you received certain traits. This is called heredity. You did not choose your inherited traits, such as curly hair or your height. You also live in a particular area. It is your environment. You cannot control many things in your physical environment. However, you can control your personal environment—the friends you choose, the movies you see, the books you read, and the TV programs you watch. More importantly, you can control your reactions and attitudes. You can decide to develop good habits or bad habits. You are growing in many ways—mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, socially, and culturally. You are responsible for what you do with your life. But Jesus is always with you, supporting you, calling you to be his disciple, and leading you to the Father. The key to knowing yourself and becoming the person God created you to be is to know Jesus. The Son of God came so that you and all people could live the life of happiness with God for which you were made. Jesus shows us that to be fully human is to share in God’s very own life. We Are Jesus’ Disciples Jesus calls us to follow him. Beginning with the first disciples until today, Jesus has revealed the Kingdom of God and teaches us to follow his Father’s will. People have devoted their lives to Jesus because he is the Son of God. Thérèse Martin lived in France in the 1800s. At age 15 she entered a Carmelite convent to lead a life of prayer and sacrifice. Some people believe so strongly in Jesus that they die for him. Thirteen-year-old Lucy lived in the fourth century, during a period when the Roman Empire persecuted Christians for their faith. The Romans killed her when she refused to give up her faith. Maria Goretti was only 12 years old when she attracted the attention of a young man. The young man stabbed her 14 times, yet Maria forgave him before she died. These people gave up their lives because Jesus told them that to be his disciple, they must follow him, wherever it leads. God’s Word No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40 4 Unit 1 Jesus Christ the Way S SAMPLE
Who Is Jesus? A fish symbol offers a clue to the answer to this question. During the persecutions of the first Christians, they used the sign of a fish as a secret means of identification. In Greek, each letter of the word fish (ichthys) begins a word in the phrase “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.” The Christ Jesus is the Christ, which means the Anointed One and the Messiah, the great leader sent by God. He is the one the prophets foretold and the Jewish people awaited. Jesus, however, was much more than the Israelites expected. Son of God With the help of the Holy Spirit, the followers of Jesus came to realize that Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus had often referred to God as “my Father.” He even called God Abba, a Hebrew word for “Dad.” As Son of God, Jesus was God too. Like the Jewish and Muslim people, Christians believe in the one true God. What makes us different is our belief in the Trinity. This main Catholic dogma (belief) states there are Three Persons in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These divine Persons are equal and work together. They have always existed together in a community of love, and they always will. At a point in time, God the Father sent his only Son to give us eternal life. His Son, the Second Person of the Trinity, obeyed the Father and became man, Jesus. Jesus then has both a divine nature and a human nature. He is completely God and completely human. Jesus is not only Emmanuel, which means “God with us,” but he is also our brother. The mystery of the Son of God taking on human nature and becoming man to save us is called the Incarnation (in + carn = in the flesh). God shared in our humanity so that we could share in divinity. Since Jesus is God, when we get to know Jesus, we know what God is like. God had revealed himself to us before. Creation gives clues about his power and goodness. The Old Testament also tells of God’s love through God’s words and actions in history. With the Incarnation, God has revealed himself completely to us in the person of Jesus Christ, who is fully Divine and fully human. Jesus said, “The Father and I are one.” (John 10:30) We call Jesus the Word from the Father. Despite God’s Revelation, God remains a mystery beyond words. Savior Jesus is also the Savior. Even his name, Jesus, means “God saves.” By his life, especially through the Paschal (Easter) Mystery, Jesus rescued the human race. The Paschal Mystery is the work of salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ through his suffering, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension. By taking our sins upon himself, and dying and rising, Jesus ended the power of sin and death over us. He made it possible for us to have eternal life. At every Eucharist, we, the community of believers, proclaim and celebrate this great mystery of our faith. Words to Know eternal life Living joyfully in grace and friendship with God in this world and in heaven after we die Incarnation The Son of God, Jesus, being born as a full human being in order to save us 5 Jesus, the Son of God Chapter 1 SAMPLE E
Who Is Jesus for You? Jesus is your Savior. Baptism gives you an identity. You are not a “nobody.” You are a beloved child of God who belongs to his Church community. You have a destiny for which the Father created you— eternal happiness. Jesus loved you enough to die a painful death so you could have this new life. And he sends his Spirit to always be with you and all of us. He is always ready to save you again from sin. As we become more familiar with people, our understanding of them deepens. You will realize who Jesus is, gradually. Sometimes one aspect of him will be spotlighted and sometimes another. He is the image of the invisible God. Colossians 1:15 A Moment with Jesus No single image of Jesus contains everything there is to know about him. Reflect on your favorite image of Jesus. What does that image of Jesus tell you about who God is? In the silence of your heart, and in your own words, ask Jesus to reveal himself to you in a deeper way this year. Then thank Jesus for teaching you about God the Father. In the Words of the Saints The Lord has turned all our sunsets into sunrises. (Clement of Alexandria) The Son is the face of the Father, for he who sees the Son sees the Father also. (Saint Ambrose) Christ is never conquered. (Saint Augustine) You are the Good Shepherd; look for me, a lamb, and do not overlook me in my wanderings. (Saint Andrew of Crete) I don’t think we could have ever loved God if Jesus had not become one of us. (Saint Teresa of Calcutta) Knowing Jesus Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Which of these titles is your favorite? Why? How did you first come to know Jesus? Who helps you know him better? When do you identify yourself as Catholic? How do you share your Catholic identity with others? Unit 1 Jesus Christ the Way 6 S SAMPLE
REVIEW Jesus, the Son of God CHAPTER 1 Words to Know eternal life pp. 5, 257 Incarnation pp. 5, 259 We Remember Who is Jesus? Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior. He is truly God and truly man. What is the Trinity? The Trinity is the mystery of one God in Three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. What is the Incarnation? The Incarnation is the mystery of the Son of God being born as a full human being. What is the Paschal Mystery? The Paschal Mystery is the work of salvation Jesus accomplished through the suffering, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension. We Respond “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” This is the Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer popular in the Eastern Church. It is recited repeatedly. Try to pray it often. Your Turn 1. Ask some friends and relatives what Jesus means to them. Invite them to share with you how Jesus is a part of your life. 2. Create a social media post that calls attention to one of Jesus’ titles that will invite people to reflect on who Jesus is. 3. Teach someone the Jesus Prayer. Commit yourself to pray it regularly. 4. Write an acrostic prayer to Jesus in which each letter in his name or one of his titles starts a line. Example: Jesus, my God and Savior, Each day you call me to love and Serve others. Help me to Understand what I must do So that I might be with you forever. 7 Chapter Review Chapter 1 SAMPLE E
CHAPTER REVIEW 1 A Monogram If each statement is true, write T. If it is false, write F. Shade in the areas of the puzzle whose numbers correspond to the true statements. When you are finished, you should see a monogram for Christ. 1. Everyone loved Jesus. 2. Abba means “holy one.” 3. Christians believe in the one true God. 4. God the Father existed before God the Son. 5. We can fully understand the Trinity by studying Sacred Scripture. 6. The name Jesus means “God saves.” 7. Our understanding of Jesus will never change. 8. Jesus is both true God and true man. 9. The Incarnation is the mystery of the Son of God becoming man. 10. I do not need to know Jesus to be his disciple. 11. God the Son only pretended to be a man. 12. God did not give me free will. 13. Jesus’ name means “the Word made flesh.” 14. Jesus saved us from sin and death through the Paschal Mystery. 15. Jesus saved only Christians by his Death. A Saving Mystery Number the events of the Paschal Mystery in the order they occurred. Death Ascension suffering Resurrection When do we celebrate the Paschal Mystery? Know Yourself Fill in the blanks. 1. You are made in the and of God. 2. Some things you can control in your life are the , , , and . 3. The key to knowing yourself is to know . 1 2 3 6 5 8 7 15 13 14 12 9 11 10 4 8 Chapter 1 Chapter Review S SAMPLE
Families IN MISSION Do these pages at home as a family. CHAPTER Continued on next page. 1 As Catholics we gather to celebrate the sacraments and listen to God’s Word in Sacred Scripture. “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15 Know and Proclaim Read and discuss the introduction and the chart below. As Catholics we believe that Jesus, the Son of God, became incarnate of the Virgin Mary and assumed a human nature while never losing his divine nature. As such, he perfectly expresses what it means for us to love God the Father and one another. We Know Our Faith We Proclaim Our Faith God created us in his image in that he gave us a soul. The soul gives us the ability to think and choose and love. Because everyone is made in God’s image, Catholics strive to help people feel welcome and at home (individually and through the ministry of hospitality). God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit form the Three Persons of the Trinity. When Catholics make the Sign of the Cross, they bless themselves in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Sign of the Cross is a prayer to the Holy Trinity. Through the Paschal Mystery—the suffering, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ—Jesus made it possible for us to have eternal life. When Catholics celebrate the Eucharist, they proclaim and celebrate the great mystery of faith: the suffering, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus. Test Your Catholic Knowledge Fill in the circle that best answers the question. Then discuss the correct answer. The Three Persons in one God are: ❍ Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. ❍ priest, prophet, and king. ❍ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ❍ saints, angels, and Apostles. Scan the QR code for the answer to the question and to access other Christ Our Life resources for families. 9 Christ Our Life® Grade 7 SAMPLE E
Families IN MISSION A Catholic to Know Invite one family member to read aloud about Saint Lucy. Then discuss how her example can guide our lives. The name Lucy means “light” and, as such, Saint Lucy is the patron saint of those who are blind or visually impaired. Despite her name, Lucy lived during the dark days of Christian persecution in the Roman Empire in the 300s. Few facts are known about Saint Lucy, except that she lived in Syracuse, a city on the eastern coast of the Italian island of Sicily. She vowed her life in service to Christ, and she lost it in defense of her faith. The fact that she is still mentioned in prayers during the Mass indicates the great respect the Church has for her. Saint Lucy is remembered each year on December 13 for shining a light of courage and inspiration for countless others to follow. Witness and Share These sentences describe what Catholics believe. Invite one family member to read aloud the My Way to Faith statements. Ask yourself, “How do I live my Catholic beliefs?” My Way to Faith • I reflect God’s image by respecting myself and others. • I proclaim the mystery of faith reverently during the Mass. • I pray the Sign of the Cross frequently as a prayer to the Holy Trinity. • I believe Jesus is my Savior. • I see the world as a gift from God, and I need to care for it and use it wisely. • I believe that Jesus, the Son of God, assumed a human nature while never losing his divine nature. As a Divine Person, he is true God and true man. Share Your Faith Think about what you know about Jesus. What more would you like to know about him? Who is he? What does he mean to you? Write your ideas in your own words on the lines. Invite a trusted adult— relative, teacher, or priest—to talk with you more about his or her relationship with Jesus. Saint Lucy 10 Grade 7 Christ Our Life® S SAMPLE
CHAPTER 2 Jesus, Fully Human Jesus sometimes referred to himself as the Son of Man. In one sense, this title means a human being. He was born of the Virgin Mary. He was like us in all things except sin. He breathed air, ate food, laughed, and got tired. He knew love, sadness, disappointment, and fear. He faced difficult decisions and had to live with the consequences of his choices. Like us, he learned and suffered and died. He was not just pretending to be human. Amazing as it sounds, God the Son really became a man named Jesus. Since Jesus is the Son of God, there is no evil in him. As a perfect human, Jesus reveals to us what we can be. He is our model for being human. Anyone who wants to lead a happy and full life has only to follow in his footsteps. To become like Jesus is possible because God calls us to faith in him through grace. Faith in Jesus When you are learning a new language, there are many words you do not recognize at first. You spend a lot of time looking them up in a dictionary until you become more familiar with the language. Faith is somewhat like being able to recognize those words. Faith is a supernatural gift from God and a free choice from our dignity as humans. Not everyone sees Jesus for who he is. It requires the help of the Holy Spirit and sometimes a little help from others. That Jesus lived is certain. Some early writings refer to him. That Jesus is God in the flesh, however, is a matter of faith. Faith is believing in God and what he makes known about himself. Faith in Jesus is based on Divine Revelation—that is, God the Jesus, the Son of Man Words to Know faith A gift of God that helps us believe in him Divine Revelation God the Father’s communication of himself to us through the words and deeds he has used throughout history Father’s communication of himself through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Together, they are God’s Word and make up a single Deposit of Faith. Scripture is the Word of God written by human beings who were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Tradition is the Word of God passed down verbally from generation to generation, from the time of the Apostles, in Church’s teachings, Creed, and liturgy. Having faith in Jesus and being committed to him is a lifelong endeavor. You might even expect to lose sight of Jesus at times. You can remain strong in the Christian faith by being involved in your parish community, spending time with Jesus in Scripture, learning Tradition, and surrounding yourself with faith-filled people. The sacraments are the special means Jesus uses to share his life and love with us. In the celebration of the sacraments, we receive the grace of the Holy Spirit that keeps us in a close relationship with Jesus. You and he will grow closer as you learn more about him and spend time with him in prayer. Jesus, the Son of Man Chapter 2 11 SAMPLE E
Friends, a Human Need One of the most important things in your life right now is your friends. People need friends at every point in their lives. Having friends is a wonderful and necessary part of being human. You may have friendly relationships with many people but have only a few deep and lasting relationships. A true friend is a gift from God. The Real Thing In true friendship, people help each other to become the best they can be. If you usually get into trouble when you are with certain people, they are not true friends. Friends do not lead each other to be selfish, unkind, disobedient, or dishonest. Instead they support each other in choosing good and avoiding evil, even when evil “looks like fun” and “everybody else is doing it.” Friends help each other overcome temptation and habits of sin. Friendship is not always easy. Sometimes you or your friends may be selfish or bossy. You or they may reveal a secret or not do a fair share of a job. You can be a bad influence on each other in a way that damages your relationship. When you fail to be real friends, you need to repair the damage in order to keep building your friendship. How? What Is a Friend? Read these definitions of a friend. Then write your own definition. 1. a person of whom one is fond and knows well (dictionary definition) 2. a friend is someone who accepts everything that is human and divine in you (Saint Augustine) 3. a friend is someone who helps you and stays with you (junior high student) 4. a friend is friend [frend] noun True Blue Friends Discuss or role-play situations that challenge friendships such as these: Miguel and Sam have been friends since third grade. They have always enjoyed playing tennis together. This year Miguel made the school track team. Whenever Sam wants to play tennis, Miguel is busy. Sam and Miguel still want to be friends. What can they do? Can friends be involved in different activities and still remain close? Mia’s family has an extra ticket for the world premiere of a movie. Mia invited Jasmine, her best friend. Jasmine has a gymnastics meet that same night. She has a commitment to her team, but Mia will be disappointed if she says no. What are Jasmine’s options? Which choice do you think is better? How can Mia help Jasmine make her decision? Unit 1 Jesus Christ the Way 12 S SAMPLE
Jesus’ Friends We know from the New Testament that Jesus considered his disciples his friends. Among his friends Jesus chose twelve men, including Peter, James, and John, to be his Apostles and accompany him and share in his ministry of preaching the Gospel. Of his wider group of disciples, Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary. When Lazarus died, Jesus felt so bad that he cried. Mary Magdalene was another disciple and friend. She stayed with Jesus through the Crucifixion, and she was the first one he appeared to after the Resurrection. Invitation to Joy Jesus calls you to be his disciple, to believe in and follow him. He also invites you to friendship. He knocks at the door of your life, a door that you alone can open. You are free to open it or not. Jesus loves you and wants you to be happy. He wants you to know the joy that comes to those who walk through life with him. With Jesus at your side, you can be at peace even when you suffer. You saw that Jesus’ title Son of Man can refer to his being human. It can also refer to his second coming. In the Book of Daniel, the Son of Man is someone who comes in glory at the end of the world. Jesus would like you to share his glory, to spend an eternity of happiness with him, his Father, and the Holy Spirit. Like all friendships, friendship with Jesus has its responsibilities. Jesus asks a great deal of you. God’s Word “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, [then] I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 The Ultimate Test Read John 15:12–17, in which Jesus speaks to you about being friends. Think about his words and complete these statements: 1. Jesus said that the greatest love a person can have for a friend is: 2. Jesus said we are his friends if we do what he commands, namely, 3. When I act as Jesus’ friend, I know I can count on his Father’s help, for Jesus said 4. Add two of your own endings to the following statement. Then rank all of them, using number 1 for the most difficult. I find it difficult to help with work at home. be kind on social media. find hope when life is difficult. . . 13 SAMPLE E
Growing as a Disciple Being Jesus’ disciple and friend is more than knowing about him. It is knowing him personally. Luke 10:38–42 describes a visit Jesus made to Martha and Mary. While Martha prepared the meal, Mary spent time with Jesus. When Martha complained that Mary was not helping her, Jesus told her that Mary had chosen the better part. As Jesus’ disciple, you are not only to serve him, but you are also to spend time with him. This is the only way you will get to know him. Keeping in Touch: A Reflection Notebook The time you spend with Jesus is prayer time. A good way to enrich your prayer time is to keep a reflection notebook. It is a book you use to write about yourself and your relationship with the Lord. You can write anything you want to say to God. You can tell God what you think and how you feel. You can share your joys and sorrows. You can thank God for gifts and graces. You can praise God and ask forgiveness. You can ask questions. What you write to God becomes your prayer. Sometimes you might even write a response God might make to you. Your reflection notebook can be a real treasure. When you reread it, you will come to know yourself better. You will be reminded of God’s great love for you and realize how God is working in your life. Best of all, a reflection notebook is a way to deepen your love for your friend Jesus. A Moment with Jesus Have you ever stopped to think what it really means to have Jesus as a friend? Silently read the God’s Word feature on this page. Reflect on ways you can nurture your friendship with Jesus. Thank Jesus for his presence in your life. God’s Word “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” John 15:14 Journaling Tips • Be honest with the Lord and with yourself. Write how you really think and feel. • Be willing to share anything with the Lord. The Holy Spirit will help you choose what to write. • Keep your notebook private. Do not show it to others. Write to God alone. You may not feel totally free if you think someone else might read your reflections. • Make your notebook special and keep it neat, but do not worry too much about spelling and punctuation. • Reread your notebook every now and then to see how God has spoken to you and has been acting in your life. Unit 1 Jesus Christ the Way 14 S SAMPLE
REVIEW CHAPTER 2 Jesus, the Son of Man We Respond Find a blank book or a spiral notebook to use for your reflection notebook. Decorate it if you wish. Decide on a regular time when you will write in your reflection notebook. Your Turn 1. Thank God for the true friends in your life. Do something special for one of them. 2. Use your reflection notebook to reflect on why Jesus is a good best friend. 3. List reasons why you are a good friend. You might ask your friends for their input. 4. Make a list of five ways to make friends and five ways to lose friends. 5. Use one of the following prayer starters each day this week. Write your conversation in your reflection notebook. • Tell Jesus about the beautiful things you saw today. • Tell Jesus how you feel today and why. • Talk to Jesus about something that you heard or saw today that made you sad. • Talk to Jesus about gifts God has given you and how you can share them. • Think about one wonderful person. Thank God for creating that person. • Did you see a person who was lonely or hurting? Ask Jesus to show you how you could help. Words to Know faith pp. 11, 258 Divine Revelation pp. 11, 257 We Remember What is faith? Faith is a gift from God to believe in him and all that he has revealed about himself. What is Divine Revelation? Divine Revelation is God making himself known through Scripture and Tradition. What is Sacred Scripture? Sacred Scripture is the Word of God written by humans who were inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit. What is Sacred Tradition? Tradition is the Word of God handed down by the Church from the time of the Apostles through teachings, creeds, and liturgy. What command of Jesus will you follow if you are his friend? You will follow his command to “love one another as I love you.” (John 15:12) The Blessed Virgin Mary with her son, Jesus 15 Chapter Review Chapter 2 SAMPLE E
CHAPTER REVIEW 2 Seeing Double Complete these statements with the missing pair of words. 1. Jesus is both G and m . 2. Faith is a g from God and a free c . 3. God reveals himself in T and S . 4. Two of Jesus’ friends were the sisters M and M . 5. As Jesus’ disciples, we are to s him and s time with him. The Right Choice Circle the item that matches each description. 1. Title of Jesus that can refer to his second coming 2. The Word of God written by humans who were inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit 3. The one thing Jesus does not have in common with humans 4. A sign that we are friends with Jesus 5. The Word of God handed down by the Church from the time of the Apostles through teachings, creed, and liturgy God the Son Scripture pain love Scripture Son of Man Tradition sin good luck Tradition True or False Write T if each statement is true or F if it is false. 1. True friends help each other choose good and avoid evil. 2. Jesus only chose James and Peter to be his disciples. 3. Faith is a gift. 4. Jesus never cried. 5. You can know Jesus better through prayer and reflective writing. 16 Chapter 2 Chapter Review S SAMPLE
Families IN MISSION Do these pages at home as a family. CHAPTER Continued on next page. 2 We are invited into friendship with the living God through Jesus Christ. “I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.” John 15:15 Know and Proclaim Read and discuss the introduction and the chart below. As Catholics, we believe that Jesus reveals to us the fullness of God’s love at work in our world. We Know Our Faith We Proclaim Our Faith Faith in Jesus is a gift from God. It is faith that allows us to believe that Jesus is God in the flesh. As Catholics, we deepen our relationship with God by going to Mass on Sundays and going on retreats. Scripture is the Word of God, the written testimony of the faith of the early Church. Many Catholics read the Bible every day. The Church in the liturgy provides daily Scripture readings for Catholics to read and pray. Tradition holds the truths of the Church that have been handed down from generation to generation, beginning with the Apostles. Catholics treasure many traditional prayers, such as the Lord’s Prayer and the Hail Mary. Traditional prayers help unite the Church with a common way of talking to God. Test Your Catholic Knowledge Fill in the circle that best answers the question. Then discuss the correct answer. Which two things form the single “deposit of faith” on which our faith in Jesus is built? ❍ the Crucifixion and Resurrection ❍ the sacraments and grace ❍ Scripture and Tradition ❍ prayer and liturgy Scan the QR code for the answer to the question and to access other Christ Our Life resources for families. 17 Christ Our Life® Grade 7 SAMPLE E
Families IN MISSION A Catholic to Know Invite one family member to read aloud about Saint Martin. Then discuss how his example can guide our lives. Martin was a peacemaker as a boy, a soldier, and a bishop in the 300s. At age 15, he refused to fight in the Roman army and was taken away in chains. As a soldier, he cut his cloak to give half to a beggar suffering in the cold. That same night he dreamed of Jesus dressed in the beggar’s portion of the cloak, and by the next morning, he chose to be baptized. Being both a Christian and a soldier did not appeal to Martin. He refused to fight and was thrown in prison but was soon released. Martin was free to give his life to follow Christ, and in 372 he became bishop of Tours, France. As bishop, Martin opposed violence against heretics, despite being beaten for speaking the truth. We remember Saint Martin of Tours as a peacemaker for Christ on November 11. Witness and Share These sentences describe what Catholics believe. Invite one family member to read aloud the My Way to Faith statements. Ask yourself, “How do I live my Catholic beliefs?” My Way to Faith • I believe that God gives me the grace to be like Jesus. • I support my friends by helping them make good choices. • I pray using traditional Catholic prayers. • I spend time alone with Jesus. • I honor sacramental objects in my home, such as sacred statues, candles, medals, and rosaries. Share Your Faith Jesus asks you to be his disciple. How do you respond? What do you do that shows you are a disciple? Write your ideas in your own words on the lines. Invite a trusted family member or a friend to tell you about how he or she responds to Jesus’ call to discipleship. Saint Martin 18 Grade 7 Christ Our Life® S SAMPLE
CHAPTER 3 The Bible Since the creation of the world, God has reached out to human beings, inviting them into a living, loving relationship with him. Much of what we know about God has been revealed through Scripture. Human beings, under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, recorded the account of God’s Divine Revelation in the Bible. The Bible is a sacred library of the Christian faith, composed of 73 books of different types. The Old Testament tells of God’s relationship to the Hebrew people. It consists of 46 books. The central part of the Old Testament is the Pentateuch, five books that tell the story of creation and the origins of the Hebrew people and God’s covenant with them. The New Testament has 47 books that tell the story of God’s perfect revelation in Jesus Christ and the early Church. The central part of the New Testament is the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Gospels tell the story of Jesus’ earthly ministry and how he saves us through the Paschal Mystery. Jesus, the Messiah God’s Word When I found your words, I devoured them; your words were my joy, the happiness of my heart, Because I bear your name, Lord, God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16 Meeting Christ in Scripture Saint Jerome said, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” On each line, write in your own words what each of the following verses tells you about Jesus. Isaiah 53:5 Jeremiah 23:5 John 14:1 Colossians 1:15 Jesus, the Messiah Chapter 3 19 SAMPLE E
The New Testament All of the books that form the New Testament were written by about a.d. 125. They testify to the life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. They tell us that Jesus, the Son of God, is the Messiah, the Savior that the people of the Old Testament longed for. Most exciting, they proclaim that Jesus is our risen Lord and is alive in our lives today. The Gospels The word gospel means “good news.” The Gospels are four accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus. They are documents of faith. According to John 20:31, they were written “that you may [come to] believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.” John’s Gospel ends: There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written. John 21:25 The Gospels were not meant to be biographies. They are more like portraits. Each Gospel writer, as human authors of Scripture, worked under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. They were guided to choose incidents and shape their writing to present the truth God wanted us to know. In addition, each writer directed his message about the risen Lord to members of his local Christian community. That is why Gospels share some of the same stories in different ways. The Gospels all proclaim the same news: Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, who revealed the Father’s love for us and saved us. By the Numbers Use the list of the books in your Bible to complete this outline of the New Testament. Fill in the name and number of each type of book. NUMBER NAME G A of the A L (E ) B of R TOTAL #: Getting to Know Jesus HE SAID • I am the way and the truth and the life. (John 14:6) • I am with you always, . . . (Matthew 28:20) • I am the bread of life. (John 6:48) • Follow me. (Luke 5:27) • [You] hypocrites . . . (Matthew 15:7) • Young man, I tell you, arise! (Luke 7:14) • This is my body, . . . (Luke 22:19) • Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. (John 14:9) HE FELT • grief (John 11:35) • love (Mark 10:21) • anger (John 2:13–17) • gentleness (Luke 19:5) • sympathy (Matthew 9:18–19) • affection (Mark 6:30–31) • frustration (Luke 13:34) • compassion (Matthew 15:32–38) HE DID • die on a cross (John 19:30) • feed the hungry (Matthew 15:32–38) • curse a fig tree (Matthew 21:18–22) • make breakfast (John 21:1–14) • change water into wine (John 2:1–11) • go to a wedding (John 2:1–2) • pray all night (Luke 6:12) • eat with sinners (Mark 2:13–17) What do we learn about Jesus through the things he said, felt, and did? Unit 1 Jesus Christ the Way 20 S SAMPLE
Although we are not certain who wrote the Gospels, Tradition gives the credit to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These men are called the Evangelists, which means “proclaimers of the Good News.” Because the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke are so much alike, they are called synoptic. Synoptic means “same view.” John’s Gospel, the last to be written, has the style of a deep, religious poem and contains discourses (long speeches) and stories not found in the other Gospels. The Gospels were written after Jesus sent the Holy Spirit. As Jesus had promised, the Spirit instructed the Apostles and reminded them of all Jesus had taught. With the help of the Holy Spirit, the writers of the Gospels recorded what the Apostles had handed down to them. Through the help of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is alive for us today. The Holy Spirit continues to be with the Church that Jesus founded, and we need the Holy Spirit’s help to fully understand Scripture. Because of the Gospels and with the Holy Spirit’s help, we can know Jesus as close friends and be his disciples. Words to Know Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, who are credited with writing the four books that begin the New Testament—the Gospels synoptic The way in which three of the four Gospels— Matthew, Mark, and Luke—tell similar stories in similar ways about the life and Death of Jesus THE GOSPELS MARK a.d. 63–70 MATTHEW a.d. 80–100 LUKE a.d. 70–90 JOHN a.d. 90–100 Traditional Evangelist Mark companion of Peter Matthew Apostle Luke Greek doctor, Gentile, companion of Paul John Apostle Symbol from the Opening Lion (John’s voice in the wilderness) Man (the human ancestry of Christ) Ox (Zechariah offering sacrifice) Eagle (the Divine Word, thoughts soar above Earth) Main Audience Persecuted Christians Jewish converts Gentile (non-Jewish) Christians Christians defending their faith Characteristics Short, fast-moving Quotations from Hebrew Scriptures Five sermons Infancy stories Warm, human portraits Poetic, symbols Reflective discourses Portrait of Jesus Man of action Man of suffering Teacher New Moses Savior and friend of all: sinners, the poor, women, Samaritans Son of God Giver of life A Moment with Jesus Silently read the Portrait of Jesus in the table below. Then think about which descriptions of Jesus are important to highlight for people today. Ask Jesus to help you proclaim the Good News through your words and actions. Jesus, the Messiah Chapter 3 21 SAMPLE E
Knowing Jesus God is the author of the Bible. The Holy Spirit inspired the Evangelists and all other Scripture writers to communicate the truths God wants us to know for our salvation. The authors used their own background, culture, language, and style as they were guided in their writing. This inspiration makes all the books of the Bible the Word of God. The Gospels, then, do not only help us know about Jesus. They help us know him personally because they are his all-powerful, living Word. Whenever we read Scripture, we meet God, and God speaks to us. The Rest of the New Testament In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke tells the beginning of the early Church. It starts with the Ascension of Jesus and continues with the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. The account tells how the first Christian communities were formed. Peter is the primary figure in the first part of the Acts of the Apostles. His first sermon results in the conversion of about 3,000 people. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter performs miracles. He recognizes that the Holy Spirit is calling the Church to move beyond the boundaries of the Jewish people and to proclaim the Gospel to the world. The Apostle Paul is introduced as a persecutor of Christians. Through the direct intervention of Jesus, Paul is converted and becomes the greatest missionary in the early Church. While on his missionary journeys, Paul establishes Christian communities throughout the area around the northern Mediterranean Sea. In the final chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, although Paul is a prisoner in the city of Rome, he continues to proclaim the Gospel. Next in the Bible are the letters, or epistles. Although they come after the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament, most of the letters were written before the Gospels. Most of the letters are from Paul. There are also letters attributed to Peter, James, John, and Jude. Those letters tell us of the issues the early Church had to face as the people explored what it meant to be Christian in the Roman world. The last book of the Bible is the Book of Revelation. It is a difficult book to understand because the symbols it uses are generally unfamiliar to us. Written during a time of persecution, the Book of Revelation encourages Christians to accept the Cross for God, who has already triumphed in Jesus. Word to Know inspired Influenced by the Holy Spirit God’s Word All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16 22 Unit 1 Jesus Christ the Way S SAMPLE
REVIEW CHAPTER Jesus, the Messiah 3 Words to Know Evangelists pp. 21, 257 synoptic pp. 21, 267 inspired pp. 22, 259 Your Turn 1. Read Philippians 3:7–9 to find out how Saint Paul describes what Jesus means to him. Then answer these questions to yourself: • How much does Jesus mean to me? • Do I treasure Jesus’ friendship enough to spend time with him every day? • How would I rate my own openness to Jesus? • What will I do to know Jesus better? 2. Interview three teenagers or adults who seem to have a strong friendship with Jesus. Ask them to share how Jesus reveals himself to them in their daily lives. 3. Inquire about the process of becoming a lector in your parish. Reflect on whether you might be called to be a lector and proclaim the Word of God in your Christian community. 4. Think of something Jesus said or did. Write it in your reflection notebook. That statement is Jesus’ message to you. He is telling you something about himself. He wants its meaning to grow in your heart and move you to love him more. Write about Jesus’ message, including some of these ideas: • What it means to you • How it makes you feel about yourself • How you think Jesus would like you to respond • Something you will do to respond • Your thanks that Jesus has spoken to you We Remember What is the Gospel? The Gospel is the Good News that Jesus’ life, Death, and Resurrection have freed us from the power of sin and death. What is inspiration? Inspiration is the influence of the Holy Spirit that guided the human authors of Scripture to communicate the truths God wants us to know for our salvation. What is the New Testament? The New Testament is the 27 books of the Bible that tell of the teaching, ministry, and saving events of Jesus and the beginning of the Church. We Respond Meet Jesus every day through his Word in the Bible. Pray a Scripture passage using the steps outlined on page 2 of the Scripture Booklet. 23 Chapter Review Chapter 3 SAMPLE E
www.loyolapress.comRkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTQ3NzU=